Ah, red velvet—though its origins and composition are hazy, there’s no denying this decadent, brightly-hued dessert is perfect for festive Valentine’s Day treats. From classic cakes to red velvet French toast (yes, that actually exists), we’ve rounded up some of the best red velvet desserts to try this Valentine’s Day.
Classic Red Velvet Cake
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and it’s hard to go wrong with a classic red velvet cake. Buttermilk and vinegar provide a mouthwatering richness to the crimson sponge. Stack multiple cake rounds for gorgeous layers of decadent cream cheese or keep it simple in a sheet pan.
Dietary restrictions? No problem. Try this vegan red velvet cake or a delicious and nutritious keto red velvet cake.
Red Velvet Peanut Butter Blossoms
What’s the easiest way to make a good dessert great? Add more candy. These red velvet peanut butter blossoms offer a festive twist on classic Hershey’s kisses peanut butter blossoms. Don’t let the red dough fool you—these cookies are still jam-packed with rich peanut butter and chocolate flavor. We recommend making a double batch. Trust us.
Red Velvet Bundt Cake
Red velvet and cream cheese go together like peanut butter and jelly, and this dazzling red velvet bundt cake celebrates this magical partnership with a thick swirl of fresh and sweet cream cheese throughout the rich, chocolatey sponge. The cherry (or cream cheese, technically) on top of this decadent dessert is an irresistible cream cheese frosting glaze.
Red Velvet Cheesecake
Do you prefer your cream cheese to red velvet ratio on the cheese-heavy side? Look no further than this eye-catching cheesecake with marbled red velvet swirls. This recipe calls for a chocolate wafer crust, but you can mix and match flavor combinations with a graham cracker, oreo, or even gingersnap crust.
Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Red Velvet Heart Center
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in an ultra-decadent cream cheese pound cake with a festive surprise in the center. Red velvet hearts are added to a dense, sweet pound cake sponge for a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is tasty.
Since the hidden hearts can’t be seen before the pound cake is sliced, this makes an excellent Valentine’s Day gift that’s sure to shock and delight any lucky recipient.
Red Velvet Swirl Fudge
Whether you’re looking to revamp your usual fudge recipe or want a dessert that’s easily shared with your many valentines, this red velvet swirl fudge is a delicious place to start.
This recipe takes just over two hours to make, but you’ll only be busy for 10 minutes—the rest of the recipe’s total time involves the fudge cooling and setting in the fridge. A dessert that melts in your mouth and is insanely easy to make? Yes, please.
Red Velvet Cake Krispie Treats
For couples with kids, a romantic date night for two might not be a viable Valentine’s Day option, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the holiday with the whole family. Easy-to-make recipes like these red velvet cake Krispie treats are a fun kitchen project for the kiddos, and you and your partner get to enjoy the fruits of your kids’ labor (ahem, we mean fun). A win-win.
Red Velvet Skillet Cookie
Warm red velvet cookie topped with melted chocolate chips and dollops of cool, creamy vanilla bean ice cream… … …
What were we talking about again? Although it truly seems impossible, this red velvet skillet cookie is even better tasting than it sounds. The recipe yield says it can serve eight, but let’s be honest, you and your partner can easily knock this mouthwatering dessert out in one night. It is a holiday, after all. Treat yo’self.
Red Velvet Spritz Cookies
Okay, so that last one was a doozy. If you’re a fan of red velvet but would prefer to enjoy the flavor in something light, consider these unique red velvet spritz cookies.
Spritz cookies are made with cookie presses or piping bags to create delicate, light-as-air, and deliciously sweet cookies that offer all of the flavor and none of the “seven-month food baby” feeling.
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Depending on where you’re from, these fluffy dessert sandwiches might be called whoopie pies, gobs, or bobs. Geographical locations aside, all of these names refer to two moist, pillowy sponges sandwiching a thick layer of decadent cream cheese frosting. These whoopie pies can be made in advance and frozen for several weeks.
Red Velvet Ganache Trifle
A trifle is a traditional cold British dessert of sponge cake and fruit covered with layers of custard, cream, or jelly. This red velvet-ganache trifle layers chunks of red velvet sponge; rich, mouth-watering chocolate ganache; and mascarpone whipped cream.
Since this tasty treat is meant to be refrigerated, it could technically last long past Valentine’s Day. Given how utterly amazing this trifle tastes, it probably won’t.
Red Velvet Cake Truffles
Easy to make and even easier to share (or not, we’re not judging), these red velvet cake truffles are a great-tasting go-to for festive Valentine’s Day treats. All that’s needed to make these irresistible truffles is a box of cake mix, one 8 oz. package of cream cheese, chocolate chips, and some vegetable oil.
These four ingredients yield about four dozen cake balls in just under an hour, which means you’re free to spend the rest of the day making googly eyes at your partner (in between bites of cake ball, obviously).
Red Velvet Earthquake Cake
Love fancy desserts, but hate the pressure of making it look perfect? Try a red velvet earthquake cake instead. This luscious cake consists of lopsided layers of red velvet cake batter, cream cheese, coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips.
Not only is the casserole-like cake meant to shift and move in the baking process; it also tastes so good, no one’s going to notice the shape (or lack thereof) of this lush dessert.
Red Velvet French Toast with Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Filling
Everyone puts so much effort into Valentine’s Day dinner that it’s easy to forget the actual best part of the day: Valentine’s Day breakfast. This red velvet french toast is made by soaking bread slices in a creamy, rich, and signature red egg wash before pan-frying and drizzling the slices with cheesecake filling and chocolate syrup. Not a French toast kinda fam? Try these red velvet pancakes or cinnamon rolls.
